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The readers' editor on… why there should be no taboo subjects in a serious newspaper The readers' editor on… why there should be no taboo subjects in a serious newspaper
(about 17 hours later)
There can be few subjects more toxic to the public mind than paedophilia. Yet, as hundreds of allegations of sexual abuse have surfaced in the wake of the Jimmy Savile scandal – there could have been 500 victims of the DJ, according to a police/NSPCC report published last Friday – what is really known about the subject other than the fear it creates?There can be few subjects more toxic to the public mind than paedophilia. Yet, as hundreds of allegations of sexual abuse have surfaced in the wake of the Jimmy Savile scandal – there could have been 500 victims of the DJ, according to a police/NSPCC report published last Friday – what is really known about the subject other than the fear it creates?
In an effort to move beyond public revulsion, Guardian editors decided to commission a senior feature writer to find out the current state of expert opinion about paedophilia. The resulting spread, published in G2 on 4 January, chronicled the breadth of thinking about paedophilia over the past 35 years. In an effort to move beyond public revulsion, Guardian editors decided to commission a senior feature writer to find out the current state of expert opinion about paedophilia. The resulting spread, published in G2 on 3 January, chronicled the breadth of thinking about paedophilia over the past 35 years.
Most of the experts summarised the bulk of evidence that frames society's view about the crime.Most of the experts summarised the bulk of evidence that frames society's view about the crime.
Sarah Goode, author of two sociological studies on paedophilia, said the effect on children can be similar in long-term impact to adults experiencing domestic violence or torture.Sarah Goode, author of two sociological studies on paedophilia, said the effect on children can be similar in long-term impact to adults experiencing domestic violence or torture.
But the article also reflected the opinions of a minority of professionals who argue that paedophilia is a sexual orientation, a conclusion reached in the Harvard Mental Health Letter in 2010.But the article also reflected the opinions of a minority of professionals who argue that paedophilia is a sexual orientation, a conclusion reached in the Harvard Mental Health Letter in 2010.
Some also argue that there is no definitive evidence that "consensual" – if that term can ever be justified – sexual relations between adults and children necessarily causes the children harm.Some also argue that there is no definitive evidence that "consensual" – if that term can ever be justified – sexual relations between adults and children necessarily causes the children harm.
The article did not advance that case. However, for completeness – the writer, Jon Henley, linked to 21 sources – it did include the fact that this argument, articulated in an interview with paedophilia advocate Tom O'Carroll, does still exist.The article did not advance that case. However, for completeness – the writer, Jon Henley, linked to 21 sources – it did include the fact that this argument, articulated in an interview with paedophilia advocate Tom O'Carroll, does still exist.
Such an article was never going to pass unnoticed. It prompted a wave of anger that washed through Twitter on the back of some other newspapers' sometimes grossly misleading reports of the piece, with much of the abuse personal, and occasionally obscene, aimed at Henley.Such an article was never going to pass unnoticed. It prompted a wave of anger that washed through Twitter on the back of some other newspapers' sometimes grossly misleading reports of the piece, with much of the abuse personal, and occasionally obscene, aimed at Henley.
However, there were only six complaints to the Guardian readers' editor's office. Here is one: "I'm really angry to see the Guardian publish this damaging story which makes the paedophile's argument for him. The Guardian has a fantastic reputation for challenging the abuse of power – what on earth was the editorial team thinking when deciding to run this? ... I have never seen a more irresponsible article in the Guardian."However, there were only six complaints to the Guardian readers' editor's office. Here is one: "I'm really angry to see the Guardian publish this damaging story which makes the paedophile's argument for him. The Guardian has a fantastic reputation for challenging the abuse of power – what on earth was the editorial team thinking when deciding to run this? ... I have never seen a more irresponsible article in the Guardian."
However, there were also many who appreciated the article. The online comment thread below the line contained a great deal of thoughtful debate and in several cases outright praise.However, there were also many who appreciated the article. The online comment thread below the line contained a great deal of thoughtful debate and in several cases outright praise.
One comment was: "An intelligent piece asking questions which, although difficult, need to be asked. As someone said above [in the thread] it's a breath of fresh air to read something like this in the Guardian." Others called it "considered", "thought-provoking" and "balanced".One comment was: "An intelligent piece asking questions which, although difficult, need to be asked. As someone said above [in the thread] it's a breath of fresh air to read something like this in the Guardian." Others called it "considered", "thought-provoking" and "balanced".
There were 942 comments below the line, made by 322 posters. Given the sensitivity of the debate and some of the external criticism I was surprised that over the three days the thread was open only 112 were removed.There were 942 comments below the line, made by 322 posters. Given the sensitivity of the debate and some of the external criticism I was surprised that over the three days the thread was open only 112 were removed.
Henley, who has never written about the subject before, expected a strong response. He was less taken aback by the abuse than the idea, as one blogger put it, that his "crime" was to have tried to write rationally and objectively about a subject nobody should try to be objective or rational about.Henley, who has never written about the subject before, expected a strong response. He was less taken aback by the abuse than the idea, as one blogger put it, that his "crime" was to have tried to write rationally and objectively about a subject nobody should try to be objective or rational about.
Henley says: "The whole article was clearly written from the position that the overwhelming majority of people are in no doubt that child sex abuse causes great harm." But in hindsight he does feel it could have been more explicit in this. "Perhaps by referencing some of the research on which Goode's 'torture' quotation was based, for example."Henley says: "The whole article was clearly written from the position that the overwhelming majority of people are in no doubt that child sex abuse causes great harm." But in hindsight he does feel it could have been more explicit in this. "Perhaps by referencing some of the research on which Goode's 'torture' quotation was based, for example."
As a result of researching this piece, he realises that not enough is known about what causes paedophilia: "We clearly need more research in the field. However, most people [that he spoke to] now agree that to prevent more harm to children, treatment needs to focus on self-management, on helping paedophiles achieve the motivation not to act on their impulses. It seems unlikely that demonising all paedophiles is the way to go."As a result of researching this piece, he realises that not enough is known about what causes paedophilia: "We clearly need more research in the field. However, most people [that he spoke to] now agree that to prevent more harm to children, treatment needs to focus on self-management, on helping paedophiles achieve the motivation not to act on their impulses. It seems unlikely that demonising all paedophiles is the way to go."
It should be part of the role of newspapers to tackle difficult subjects; the issue is how it is done. I think this was a serious piece of journalism and most readers recognised that.It should be part of the role of newspapers to tackle difficult subjects; the issue is how it is done. I think this was a serious piece of journalism and most readers recognised that.
• This article was amended on 14 January 2013. The original referred to the feature in G2 on 4 January rather than 3 January. This has been corrected.